Brandon Township

Douglas County, Minnesota

Brandon Township Meeting, Monday, September 15, 2008

BrandonTownship Meeting Minutes – September 15, 2008

The regular monthly meeting of the Brandon Township Board was held on Monday, September 15, 2008 at the Brandon Auditorium with Don Buse, Paul Lauthen, Michael Cleary, Diane Smith and Adrian Ledermann present.

The meeting was called to order by the chair, Don Buse at 8:10 p.m.The pledge of allegiance was recited.

Clerks Report:The minutes of the August meeting were addressed.The minutes were approved as written with a motion by Lauthen, seconded by Cleary, and carried.

Treasurer’s Report:Beginning balance as of 08/01/08 was $34,351.37.Interest from Revenue on account at Bremer was $4.54.Other income was $470.00.Orders issued totaling $6,301.64, for a total ending balance of $28,524.47.Investments reported included Tar & Road Fund received $76.96 in interest to total $52,176.38; CD to mature on 9/22/08 totals $57,438.23; and CD to mature 9/21/08 totals $162,755.05.Motion made by Cleary, seconded by Lauthen, to approve report; carried.

Sewer Project Information:a.Buse reported that funding for the Lobster Lake Area has been approved, but not all papers are signed yet.Miltona area has received the MPCA report.The budget has been raised and will include $20,000 for further phase two engineering study.

b.A committee has been formed to engage a phase II engineering study with new and different engineering firms.The committee membership includes Mike Cleary, Pat Conroy, Lynn Timm, Jim Adam, John Gilson, Dave Wolf and Dick Mohagen.The committee will meet regularly and post approved minutes on the CRLSD web site.After some questions were raised by the public in attendance, Cleary gave a history of the task force that has completed its tasks and provided a rational why the present committee membership was selected.

c.Brandon Township attorney Bill Leuthner provided legal response to the petition that had been presented at the August meeting indicating that the township was under no legal response to call a special meeting or conduct any sort of binding public referendum or pass any sort of binding resolution.Attorneys from some of the townships involved along with the CLRSD attorney, John Kolb are planning to meet to research further legal obligations such as the application of the ad valorem tax.

Public Comment:The clerk and supervisors reported on letters and e-mails received.Dana Barfnecht submitted a written request to address the board and spokegiving three recommendations: (cf attached notes) a, Brandon Township get out of CLRSD, b, Brandon Township form own sewer district and c. Provide education on sewer management.Many others voiced their opinions.Local legislators gave a brief history of the legislation that formed the central district as a government agency with its board appointed by the local townships to act as a representative form of government.Local townships have an option to opt out of the central district.Old Business:

a.Sewer and board comments.Lauthen indicated a hope that phase II areas of the district can be redefined so that needed areas can be covered and that he was not ready to opt out of the district.Buse indicated a need to put any further decisions on hold and give the budget of $20,000 and the committee a chance to find alternatives.Cleary indicated a desire to engage the engineering for new possibilities.All three board members indicated that the big project as previously defined is dead in the water.Cleary wanted to go on record as stating that, in the absence of the one for all and all for one cost sharing, he would not accept an ad volarum tax being charged to Phase II for the capital cost of the Phase I and Phase III projects and that he would vote to out of the CLRSD if such a decision was made by the CLRSD. On a motion by Cleary, seconded by Buse and carried, the board decided not to hold a special meeting regarding the sewer issue and opting out of the central district.

b.Primary election report indicated that there were no incidents andthat 121 voters has participated in the election.A new way of delivering the ballots and results to the county auditor made it necessary for Brandon City and Brandon Township to be present until results could be forwarded to the state by the auditor.

c.Township web site is still undergoing further tweaking.Individuals who have tried to contact the township via the web site are not getting any messages forwarded.The clerk will work with Carlson further to improve the web site.

d. Lakes Area planning report indicated that Moe Township is joining the agency.

e.Big Chip road has been looked at by Lauthen who has engaged Croonquist to try to put some slope on that road extension to help avoid wash out.

f.Buse has looked at the culvert again under Whiskey Lake drive, but the township is not responsible for any further action.

g. Lauthen will get the truck radiator repaired to correct over heating problem and will also get the DOT inspection on the truck.

h.Buse is still trying to install more signs.

New Business:

a. Land use permits were reviewed.

b. On a motion by Cleary, seconded by Lauthen and carried, O & E coverage from MATIT will be purchased.A second motion by Cleary, seconded by Lauthen and carried passed a resolution to have Brandon Township pick up the first dollar coverage for any legal expense incurred by the board prior to the new coverage.The motion was passed on the contingency that it was legal.The clerk will institute the coverage and get the state attorney's advice on this resolution.

c. FEMA and flood managementmeeting on Sept 25 will be attended by Cleary upon appointment the chair.

d. The Treasurer was directed to renew two CDs coming due in Sept.

Claims:Claims were presented and viewed by the board.Claims included: The Record - $4.25 for public notices; City of Brandon- $127.65 for water-sewer; Luckys - $892.50 for fuel; Evansville Twp - $100.30 for gravel; Etc. Signs - $143.78 for road signs; Lakes Area Humane - $391.16 for impound; West Central Petro - $1,994.33 for diesel; Otter Tail Power - $39.03 for shop electricity; mileage for Cleary-$140, Lauthen - $17.50, Smith-$28.00, Ledermann-$75.00 and $70.28 office supplies, Buse-$35, Eddy-$17.50, and Bolin-$22.50.Claims and wages were ordered to be paid on a motion by Cleary, seconded by Lauthen and carried.

Meeting adjourned at 10:46 p.m. on a motion by Cleary, seconded by Lauthen.Adrian Ledermann, clerk